Dental Practice, Kennington
Root Canal Treatment in Kennington
Root canal treatment has a worse reputation than it deserves. It's the treatment that takes the pain away and saves a tooth you'd otherwise lose — and with modern anaesthetic, most patients say it felt much like having a filling. From £550.
- From £550 — published prices
- Endodontic consultations complimentary
- Numbing gel before any injection
- Saves the tooth rather than removing it
What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment removes infected or dying nerve tissue from inside a tooth, disinfects the hollow canals in the root, and seals them — so the tooth can stay in your mouth instead of being taken out.
Inside every tooth is a soft centre called the pulp, which contains the nerve and blood supply. If decay, a deep crack or an injury lets bacteria reach it, the pulp becomes infected. It cannot heal on its own, and the infection spreads down the root and into the bone.
At that point there are two options: clean the inside of the tooth out and seal it, or take the tooth out. Root canal treatment is the option that keeps your own tooth — and your own tooth, kept, is almost always better than anything that replaces it.
The point of root canal treatment is simple: you keep your own tooth. Your own tooth, kept, is almost always better than anything that replaces it.
Do I need root canal treatment?
The usual signs that the nerve of a tooth is infected or dying:
- Severe, throbbing toothache, often worse at night or when you lie down.
- Pain that lingers for more than a few seconds after something hot or cold.
- Pain when you bite on that tooth, or when it's tapped.
- A tooth that has gone darker than its neighbours.
- Swelling or tenderness of the gum near the tooth, or a small pimple-like spot on the gum.
- Pain that stops suddenly — which can mean the nerve has died, not that the problem has gone away.
That last one catches people out. A tooth that hurt badly and then went quiet has often got worse, not better. If you've had significant toothache that has settled on its own, it is still worth being seen.
Step by step
What happens during root canal treatment
Assessment and X-ray
An X-ray shows the shape of the roots and how far the infection has spread. Endodontic consultations are complimentary, so finding out where you stand costs nothing.
Numbing the tooth properly
A numbing gel goes on the gum before the injection, and we give the anaesthetic time to work fully before starting. You should feel pressure and movement, but not pain. If you feel anything sharp, you tell us and we stop and add more.
Cleaning the inside of the tooth
A small opening is made in the top of the tooth, the infected pulp is removed, and the narrow canals inside each root are cleaned and shaped. This is the part that takes the time — it's careful work, not heavy work.
Sealing it
The cleaned canals are filled and sealed so bacteria can't get back in. Depending on the tooth, this happens at the same visit or a second one.
Protecting the tooth afterwards
A root-treated back tooth becomes more brittle and usually needs a crown (£950) to stop it splitting. Skipping that step is the most common reason a successful root canal treatment ends in a lost tooth two years later.
Root canal treatment or take the tooth out?
Extraction is cheaper on the day. It is rarely cheaper in the end, because a gap needs replacing and the replacement costs more than the treatment you avoided.
| Root canal treatment | Extraction | |
|---|---|---|
| You keep the tooth | Yes | No |
| Cost here | £550–£850, plus a crown if needed | from £200 |
| What comes next | Usually a crown to protect it | A gap, or an implant (from £2,000), bridge (£850 per unit) or denture |
| Effect on neighbouring teeth | None | They can drift or tilt into the gap over time |
| Effect on the jawbone | Bone is preserved by the root | Bone in that area gradually shrinks |
There are times when a tooth genuinely cannot be saved — if it's cracked below the gum, or too little of it is left to rebuild. In that case we'll say so plainly rather than taking your money for treatment that won't hold.
In pain? Call 0203 950 6620
Fees
How much does root canal treatment cost in Kennington?
The price depends on the tooth. Front teeth have one canal; back molars can have four, and take considerably longer.
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Root canal — front tooth to canine | £550 |
| Root canal — pre-molars | £650 |
| Root canal — molars | £850 |
| Re-treatment of a previous root canal (addition) | £100 |
| Porcelain or metal-free crown | £950 |
| Examination | £45 |
Endodontic (root canal) consultations are complimentary.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much is root canal treatment in London?
At Pure Elegant Smile it's £550 for a front tooth or canine, £650 for a pre-molar and £850 for a molar. Re-treating a previous root canal adds £100. A crown afterwards, where one is needed, is £950.
Does root canal treatment hurt?
Not during the treatment — the tooth is fully numbed first, and most patients say it felt much like having a filling. The severe pain people associate with root canals is the infection itself, which is what the treatment removes.
How many appointments will I need?
One or two, depending on the tooth and how much infection there is. Molars have more canals and usually take longer than front teeth.
Will I need a crown afterwards?
Usually, on a back tooth. Removing the pulp leaves the tooth more brittle, and a crown holds it together so it doesn't split under chewing. Front teeth can sometimes be restored with a filling instead — we'll tell you which applies.
Is it better to just have the tooth out?
Rarely. Extraction costs less on the day, but replacing the tooth afterwards costs considerably more than saving it — an implant starts at £2,000 against £550–£850 for root canal treatment. Your own tooth also keeps the bone and the neighbouring teeth in place.
How long does a root-treated tooth last?
A well-treated and properly restored tooth can last many years and be used normally. What matters most is protecting it afterwards with a crown where one is advised, and keeping up with check-ups and hygiene visits.
I'm very anxious about this. What can you do?
Tell us when you book. We use a numbing gel before any injection, explain each stage before it happens, and stop whenever you raise your hand. Oral and inhalation sedation is available if you need more help than that.
Can a root canal be done in an emergency appointment?
Often the first thing we can do is relieve the pressure and the pain, then complete the treatment at a planned appointment. Ring 0203 950 6620 and describe what's happening — urgent care is usually available the same day.
In pain? Let's find out what's causing it
An assessment tells you whether the nerve is involved, what your options are, and what each one costs — before anything is booked.
Or call us on 0203 950 6620
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 10am–7pm · Closed Wed, Sat, Sun97 Kennington Lane, London, SE11 4HQ
Reviewed by Dr Nader Gavgani, GDC 75484